Quadrature signal decoding using a driver

ABSTRACT

A system and method for decoding quadrature signals includes a quadrature signal generator, a quadrature signal decoder, a key matrix and a driver. The quadrature signal generator generates quadrature signals on rotation. The quadrature signal decoder is configured to convert the quadrature signals into non-overlapping signals. The key matrix is configured to receive the non-overlapping signals. The driver is configured to scan the key matrix to decode the non-overlapping signals to generate an event update corresponding to a direction of rotation of the quadrature signal generator.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/719,698 filed Mar. 8, 2010, and IndianPatent Application No. 2605/DEL/2009 filed Dec. 15, 2009, both of whichare incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to quadrature signal generators. Thepresent invention has particular utility in systems for decodingquadrature signals using a driver.

BACKGROUND

Appliances, such as washing machines, audio-video players and set topboxes, include one or more quadrature signal generators on theirrespective user interfaces. Examples of quadrature signal generatorsinclude, but are not limited to, incremental rotary encoders and halleffect sensors.

In general, the quadrature signal generators track motion and determinean angular position and velocity of a shaft by providing two outputsthat are 90° out of phase with each other. In other words, thequadrature signal generators provide quadrature signals in response tomovement of the shaft. Such quadrature signals can be decoded either bya microcontroller or by an integrated circuit (IC) dedicated for thepurpose.

Generally, several bytes of memory are consumed by coding instructions,which are written in the microcontroller, to decode the quadraturesignals. In addition, extra lines or cables are required to interfacethe microcontroller with the incremental rotary encoder. The burdenbecomes even more pronounced in complex applications where themicrocontroller has to attend to critical tasks as well. On the otherhand, ICs that are used for the purpose of decoding quadrature signalsare not just complex to implement, but are also cost ineffective. Inaddition, the ICs occupy a substantial fraction of the board realestate. SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to decoding ofquadrature signals using a driver, which are further described below inthe detailed description. This summary is not intended to identifyessential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended foruse in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, the system includes a quadrature signal generator, aquadrature signal decoder, a key matrix, and a driver. The quadraturesignal generator generates a plurality of quadrature signals onrotation. The quadrature signal decoder is configured to convert theplurality of quadrature signals into non-overlapping signals. The keymatrix is configured to receive the non-overlapping signals. Further,the driver scans the key matrix to decode the non-overlapping signalsand generate an event update corresponding to a direction of rotation ofthe quadrature signal generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Thesame numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like featuresand components. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements inthe figures are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for decoding quadrature signals,in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2( a) illustrates an exemplary configuration of a quadrature signaldecoder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2( b) is a graphical representation of quadrature signals providedby a quadrature signal generator and plots of non-overlapping signalsgenerated by the quadrature signal decoder, in accordance with anembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method diagram for decoding quadraturesignals using a driver, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentsubject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The disclosed subject matter relates to decoding of signals using adriver. Particularly, the subject matter relates to the decoding ofquadrature signals generated by a quadrature signal generator.

Typically, to facilitate and simplify operation of appliances, such asDVD players and washing machines, one or more quadrature signalgenerators, for example, incremental rotary encoders are provided withthe appliances. The quadrature signal generator generates quadraturesignals corresponding to rotation of the quadrature signal generator ina clockwise or a counter clockwise direction. Decoding of the quadraturesignals is generally achieved through a set of instructions in themicrocontroller. Based on whether the quadrature signal generator hasmoved clockwise or counter clockwise, the microcontroller chooses aspecific action. The specific action may include actions, such asupdating the LED display unit, increasing volume/channel, decreasingbrightness, etc.

However, the aforementioned scheme consumes substantial code spacewithin the microcontroller, which can be used instead for other criticaltasks. In addition, the interconnections between the quadrature signalgenerator and the microcontroller make the appliances unnecessarilycomplex. Therefore, some schemes utilize dedicated integrated circuits(ICs) for the purpose of decoding quadrature signals. However, thededicated ICs add to the overall cost of the appliances and are alsoarea consuming.

The present subject matter relates to a system and method for decodingquadrature signals with reduced complexity and minimal cost. In oneimplementation, a light emitting diode (LED) driver having a key matrixinterface is used to decode the quadrature signals generated byquadrature signal generators, such as incremental rotary encoders, halleffect sensors, etc. Such an LED driver may be already present in theappliances, for example, to drive eight segment LED display units.

The LED display units, formed from multiple LEDs, are generally providedas a part of a user interface of the appliances. The LED drivers aredesigned to drive the LEDs connected in either a common anode or acommon cathode configuration. Further, the LED driver is coupled to akey matrix, which is a matrix of keys or switches. Such a key matrix isalso a part of the user interface of the appliances. An event such as akey press or a key release can be decoded by the LED driver by scanningthe key matrix. For the purpose, each key is individually coupledbetween a key input and a segment output of the LED driver. The LEDdriver scans the segment outputs and key inputs in one scanning cycle,and if any key is pressed, the LED driver senses the key press andupdates an internal storage element.

Further, the LED driver sends an interrupt signal to a microcontroller.The microcontroller accordingly reads the storage element and takes adecision for subsequent action corresponding to the key press. The LEDdisplay unit, which is coupled to the LED driver, may or may not beupdated depending on the action taken by the microcontroller. In asimilar manner, the key release event is decoded.

Therefore, the LED drivers are enriched with a number offunctionalities, for example, capability of driving multiple LEDs,controlling brightness of LEDs, decoding key matrix, and interfacingwith the microcontroller. The present subject matter relates toconfiguring such a driver associated with the key matrix interface todecode the quadrature signals in a manner similar to the detection of akey press.

In the present implementation, the system for decoding quadraturesignals includes a quadrature signal decoder, a key matrix, and adriver. The quadrature signal decoder converts a plurality of quadraturesignals into non-overlapping signals. The key matrix is configured toreceive the non-overlapping signals. Further, the driver scans the keymatrix to decode the non-overlapping signals.

Devices that can implement the disclosed quadrature signal decodingusing driver include, but are not limited to, automobile dashboards,set-top boxes, computing devices, washing machines, video cassetterecorders (VCRs), digital versatile disc (DVD) players, microwave ovens,refrigerators, and other white goods.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 for decoding quadraturesignals. The system 100 includes a driver 102 configured to drive adisplay unit 104. The driver 102 may be a light emitting diode (LED)driver configured to drive an eight segment, six digit LED display unit.Alternatively, the driver 102 may be a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD)driver designed to drive a VFD display unit.

The operation and construction of the system 100 is described withreference to certain examples and illustrations. The examples, in noway, should be construed to be limiting. In the description to follow,the LED driver and the LED display unit have been used to explain theoperation of the system 100. However, it will be appreciated that thefollowing description extends to various driver-display unitconfigurations in accordance with the present subject matter.Accordingly, some variations may be possible with a change in thedriver-display unit configuration, as will be understood by a personskilled in the art.

The driver 102 may be a common anode LED driver, which can be used todrive multiple LEDs (not shown in this figure) using segment outputs 106and digit outputs 108. There can be eight segment outputs 106-1, 106-2,. . . , 106-8, for an eight segment LED display unit and six digitoutputs 108-1, 108-2, . . . , 108-6, for driving six digits of the LEDdisplay unit. Additionally, there may be one more digit output 108-7 fordriving all the digits simultaneously.

The driver 102 adjusts the current provided to each of the LEDs throughan external resistor in conformance with current rating of the LEDs. Inthe common anode configuration, the segment outputs 106 sink currentfrom cathodes of the LEDs, while the digit outputs 108 source current toanodes of the LEDs.

The driver 102 may be coupled to a key matrix 110 that serves as a userinterface or part of the user interface. The key matrix 110 is formedusing a set of switches or keys 112, usually arranged in a grid ormatrix form. The keys 112 are located at the intersection points of rowsand columns of the key matrix 110. Typically, an event, for example, akey press or a key release, is decoded by a driver by scanning the rowsand the columns in a specific manner. For the purpose, the rows arecoupled to key inputs of a driver and the columns are coupled to segmentoutputs of the driver. For example, in a 8×2 key matrix 110, two rowsare coupled to two key inputs of the driver 102, namely key input 114-1and key input 114-2, while eight columns are coupled to the eightsegment outputs 106 of the driver 102. For illustration purposes, asegment output 106-1 is depicted as one of the eight segment outputs106. The driver 102 is configured to sequentially scan the segmentoutputs 106 and the key inputs 114-1 and 114-2 to decode an event like akey press or a key release.

In case a key from amongst the keys 112 is pressed by the user, the rowand column corresponding to that key get coupled. Subsequently, thedriver 102 scans each column one by one to determine a location of thedepressed key. Such a scan of the key matrix 110 yields that the currentin the key input is equal to the current in the corresponding segmentoutput, thereby giving the driver 102 an indication that a specific keyis pressed.

The key press may be de-bounced to ensure that the key has indeed beenpressed. Once the location of the depressed key has been correctlydetermined, a storage element 116 within the driver 102 is updated with,for example, the location of the depressed key. In one implementation,the storage element 116 is a register.

Furthermore, the driver 102 generates an interrupt signal 118 andprovides the interrupt signal 118 to a microcontroller 120. Themicrocontroller 120 can generate and receive signals, for example, theinterrupt signal 118, clock signal 122, etc., based on operationalinstructions. Among other capabilities, the microcontroller 120 isconfigured to provide data 124 to the driver 102. The data 124 can be inprovided in the form of commands. Examples of such commands includeconfiguration commands to configure the driver 102 for displaying thelocation of the depressed key, data read commands for reading thelocation of the depressed key, and memory write commands for writing ina memory of the microcontroller 120. In response to every interruptsignal 118, the microcontroller 120 interfaces with the driver 102 toread the storage element 116 and take an appropriate action depending onthe application. In one example, the microcontroller 120 facilitatesdisplay of a value of the depressed key on the display unit 104 throughthe driver 102.

In addition to the above mentioned components, the system 100 includes aquadrature signal generator 126. Examples of the quadrature signalgenerator 126 include, but are not limited to, incremental rotaryencoders, hall effect sensors and optical tachometers. The quadraturesignal generator 126 is capable of generating quadrature signals, namelyquadrature signal 128-1 and quadrature signal 128-2, hereinaftercollectively referred to as quadrature signals 128. The quadraturesignals 128 are 90° out of phase with each other. Based on whether thequadrature signal generator 126 is turned in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, one of the two quadrature signals 128 either lagsor leads with respect to the other. Thus, the lead-lag relationshipbetween the quadrature signals 128 helps in determining the speed andthe direction of rotation of a component, say a shaft, integral to thequadrature signal generator 126.

To this end, the quadrature signals 128 are decoded in two phases. In afirst phase, a quadrature signal decoder 130 coupled to the quadraturesignal generator 126 decodes the quadrature signals 128 to generatenon-overlapping signals 132, which are then decoded by the driver 102 ina second phase. This is further elaborated in the subsequent paragraphs.

In the first phase, the quadrature signal decoder 130 converts thequadrature signals 128-1 and 128-2 into non-overlapping signals 132-1and 132-2, respectively, based on the direction of rotation of thequadrature signal generator 126. In one implementation, when thequadrature signal generator 126 rotates in a clockwise direction, thequadrature signal decoder 130 converts the quadrature signal 128-1 intothe non-overlapping signal 132-1, while providing a zero signal at thenon-overlapping signal 132-2. Similarly, when the quadrature signalgenerator 126 rotates in a counter clock wise direction, the quadraturesignal decoder 130 converts the quadrature signal 128-2 into thenon-overlapping signal 132-2, while providing a zero signal at thenon-overlapping signal 132-1.

The non-overlapping signals 132-1 and 132-2 obtained on the first andthe second output terminals, respectively, of the quadrature signaldecoder 130 are coupled to the key inputs 114-1 and 114-2, respectively.On the other hand, the complementary signals of the two non-overlappingsignals, namely complementary non-overlapping signals 134-1 and 134-2obtained on third and fourth output terminals, respectively, ofquadrature signal decoder 130, are coupled to a segment output of thedriver 102, for example, the segment output 106-1. In such aconfiguration, the user interface is reduced to a 7×2 key matrix, as onesegment output is being used for the purpose of decoding the quadraturesignals.

In operation, whenever there is a clockwise rotation of the quadraturesignal generator 126, the non-overlapping signal 132-1 and thecomplementary non-overlapping signal 134-1 are obtained at the first andthird output terminals of the quadrature signal decoder 130,respectively in the first phase. Due to the configuration describedearlier, the non-overlapping signal 132-1 and the complementarynon-overlapping signal 134-1 also appear at the key input 114-1 andsegment output 106-1 respectively.

In the second phase of decoding the quadrature signals 128, the driver102 scans the key matrix 110, row by row and column by column. When thedriver 102 scans the key matrix 110, it appears as if a current from thesegment output 106-1 is being sinked, while an equivalent current isbeing sourced to the key input 114-1. This gives an impression that afirst key has been pressed. Accordingly, the driver 102 also considersthe rotation of the quadrature signal generator 126 as a key press andupdates its storage element 116 with an event update of the key press.Subsequently, the driver 102 sends the interrupt signal 118 to themicrocontroller 120.

Similarly, whenever the quadrature signal generator 126 rotates in acounter clock wise direction, the non-overlapping signal 132-2 and thecomplementary non-overlapping signal 134-2 are obtained at the secondand fourth output terminals of the quadrature signal decoder 130,respectively. Again, when the driver 102 scans the key matrix 110, itappears as if a current from the segment output 106-1 is being sinked,while a current is being sourced to the key input 114-2, thus giving animpression that a second key has been pressed. The storage element 116is updated with an event update to indicate that the second key locatedat the intersection of key input 114-2 and segment output 106-1 isdepressed, and the interrupt signal 118 is generated by the driver 102.

In response to the interrupt signal 118, the microcontroller 120 readsthe event update in the storage element 116. Based on the reading, themicrocontroller 120 may facilitate various actions, for instance,updating the display unit 104, increasing volume/channel, and decreasingbrightness. In one example, the microcontroller 120 facilitates displayof the direction of rotation of the quadrature signal generator 126 ontothe display unit 104 through the driver 102.

Thus, the quadrature signals 128 can be decoded using existing scanninglogic of the key matrix 110 present in the system 100. As the algorithmfor decoding of the key press or release events is already implementedin the microcontroller 120, no additional coding is required fordecoding of key press or release events created due to the quadraturesignals 128. In addition, the number of connections to themicrocontroller 120 are also limited, thus reducing the overall cost andcomplexity of the application in which the system 100 is implemented. Anexemplary configuration of the quadrature signal decoder 130 iselaborated in subsequent figures to further illustrate its operation.

FIG. 2( a) illustrates an exemplary configuration 200 of the quadraturesignal decoder 130. FIG. 2( b) is a graphical representation of thequadrature signals 128, provided by the quadrature signal generator 126,and plots of the non-overlapping signals 132-1 and 132-2 generated bythe quadrature signal decoder 130.

In one implementation, the quadrature signal generator 126 may be arotary encoder, for example, an incremental rotary encoder 202.Generally, the incremental rotary encoder 202 is used in applicationsand devices that require precise shaft rotation, for example, inrobotics, photographic lenses, computer input devices (mice andtrackballs), and volume control applications. The illustration,hereinafter, is in terms of the incremental rotary encoder 202. However,the explanation can be extended to any device that generates square waveor quadrature signals, for example, a hall effect sensor or an opticaltachometer, though with a few modifications, as will be appreciated by aperson skilled in the art.

As mentioned in the description of FIG. 1, the incremental rotaryencoder 202 generates the quadrature signals 128 in response to therotation of a shaft (not shown in this figure). In construction, theincremental rotary encoder 202 is typically a three-terminal device thatgenerates quadrature signals, for example, the quadrature signal 128-1and the quadrature signal 128-2, at two of its terminals, while thethird terminal is pulled up at a supply voltage such as V_(CC) 204 (say5 volts). The quadrature signals 128-1 and 128-2 generated by theincremental rotary encoder 202 are illustrated in FIG. 2( b). Thequadrature signals 128-1 and 128-2 are 90° out of phase with each other.

The incremental rotary encoder 202 is coupled to a quadrature signaldecoder 130, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subjectmatter. Also, in said embodiment, the quadrature signal decoder 130 iscoupled to the key matrix 110 in order to facilitate decoding of thedirection of rotation of the shaft integral to the incremental rotaryencoder 202.

Further, the quadrature signal decoder 130 may be a dual flip flop, suchas IC 7474. The quadrature signal decoder 130 may be alternativelyimplemented using a combination of two D-flip flops or any other flipflops, such as reset-set (RS) flip flops, which provide similarfunctionalities. Although the present subject matter has been explainedin considerable details with respect to IC 7474, however, it will beappreciated that any other IC capable of latching the quadrature signals128-1 and 128-2 may be used. Additionally, any IC configured to converttwo overlapping signals into non-overlapping signals may be implementedwithin the quadrature signal decoder 130. Accordingly, connections tovarious pins of the quadrature signal decoder 130 may be modifiedaccording to the requirements of the application, as will be understoodby a person skilled in the art.

In said embodiment, the quadrature signal decoder 130 is a 14-pin ICthat functions as a dual D-flip flop. Thus, the quadrature signaldecoder 130 may be considered as an IC having two flip flops 206-1 and206-2. Pins 1 through 6 of the IC are included in the flip flop 206-1,while pins 8 through 13 are included in the flip flop 206-2. Pins 7 and14 of the IC are common between the flip flops 206-1 and 206-2.

In operation, pin 7 is coupled to ground and pin 14 is coupled to V_(CC)204. Pin 2 of the flip flop 206-1 is coupled to receive quadraturesignal 128-1 through passive elements, such as a resistor 208, aresistor 210, and a capacitor 212. Pin 3 receives quadrature signal128-2, also through passive elements, such as a resistor 214, a resistor216, and a capacitor 218. The quadrature signal 128-2 serves as a clocksignal for flip flop 206-1. The flip flop 206-1 provides an outputsignal at pin 5 and a complementary output signal at pin 6.

Further, pin 12 is coupled to receive the quadrature signal 128-2through one or more passive elements (not shown in this figure).Likewise, pin 11 receives quadrature signal 128-1 through the passiveelements. The quadrature signal 128-1 serves as a clock signal for theflip flop 206-2. The flip flop 206-2 provides an output signal at Pin 9and a complementary output signal at Pin 8.

Pins 4 and 10 are provided for asynchronous setting of the flip flops206-1 and 206-2, respectively. To this end, the pins 4 and 10 are tiedto the V_(CC) 204. In addition, pins 1 and 13 are provided forasynchronous resetting of the flip flops 206-1 and 206-2 and are,therefore, tied to the quadrature signals 128-1 and 128-2, respectively.Moreover, when in operation, pin 7 is coupled to ground and pin 14 iscoupled to VCC 204. Pins 6 and 8 are coupled to one of the segmentoutputs of the driver 102, for example, to the segment output 106-1.

A current protection diode, for example, diodes 220-1 and 220-2 may becoupled to the segment output 106-1 to protect the display unit 204 froma large reverse current. Further, pin 5 is coupled to the key input114-1 and pin 9 is coupled to the key input 114-2.

In operation, when the incremental rotary encoder 202 is rotated in aclockwise direction, the flip flop 206-1 gets activated and thenon-overlapping signal 132-1 is provided. A waveform of thenon-overlapping signal 132-1, is further illustrated in FIG. 2( b). Asshown in FIG. 2( b), when the incremental rotary encoder 202 is rotatedin the clockwise direction, the non-overlapping signal 132-1 follows thequadrature signal 128-1 based on the timing of the clock signal, in thiscase, the quadrature signal 128-2. For example, until a positivetransition of the quadrature signal 128-2, the non-overlapping signal132-1 is at a low level even though the quadrature signal 128-1 is at ahigh level. Now, until the level of the quadrature signal 128-2 is high,the non-overlapping signal 132-1 follows the quadrature signal 128-1.

Thus, at the positive transition of the quadrature signal 128-2 appliedat the pin 3, the non-overlapping signal 132-1 is obtained at pin 5, anda complementary non-overlapping signal 134-1 is obtained at pin 6. Sincethe pin 5 is coupled to the key input 114-1 and the pin 6 is coupled tothe segment output 106-1, it appears as if a current is flowing from thesegment output 106-1 to the key input 114-1, thus giving the driver 102an impression that a first key is pressed.

Similarly, when the incremental rotary encoder 202 is rotated in acounter clockwise direction, the flip flop 206-2 gets activated and thenon-overlapping signal 132-2 is provided. A waveform of thenon-overlapping signal 132-2 is shown in FIG. 2( b). As seen from thefigure, when the incremental rotary encoder 202 is rotated in thecounter clock wise direction, the non-overlapping signal 132-2 followsthe quadrature signal 128-2 until the clock signal, in this case, thequadrature signal 128-1 is at a high level. Thus, at a positivetransition of the quadrature signal 128-1 applied on the pin 11, thenon-overlapping signal 132-2 is obtained at the pin 9 and acomplementary non-overlapping signal 134-2 is obtained at the pin 8.Since the pin 9 is coupled to the key input 114-2 and the pin 8 iscoupled to the segment output 106-1, it appears as if the segment output106-1 is the source of current and the key input 114-2 is a sink, thusgiving an impression that a key is pressed.

Once a key press is detected in response to a rotation of theincremental rotary encoder 202 in a clockwise or a counter clockwisedirection, the storage element 116 within the driver 102 gets updatedand the interrupt signal 118 gets generated, as already described inFIG. 1.

In another embodiment, instead of using the complementarynon-overlapping signals 134-1 and 134-2, an additional transistor may beimplemented as a switch. Alternatively, the transistor can beimplemented in a common emitter configuration. For example, a baseterminal of the transistor may receive input from the non-overlappingsignal 132-1, while the collector and emitter terminals of thetransistor may be coupled to the segment output 106-1 and the key input114-1, respectively. In yet another embodiment, the base terminal of thetransistor may receive input from a complementary non-overlappingsignal, for example, complementary non-overlapping signal 134-1.

In this way, a driver, such as the driver 102 having an integrated keymatrix scanning feature, can be used to decode the quadrature signals128 in a manner similar to the detection of a key press or a key releaseevent.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method 300 for decoding quadraturesignals using a driver. The exemplary method may be described in thegeneral context of analog and digital circuit elements. However, it willbe noted that the method is also implementable through computerexecutable instructions.

The order in which the method is described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described method blockscan be combined in any order to implement the method, or an alternativemethod. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the methodwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matterdescribed herein. Furthermore, the methods can be implemented in anysuitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.

At block 302, quadrature signals are received from a quadrature signalgenerator. For example, the quadrature signal generator 126 generatesquadrature signals 128 based on a direction of rotation of theincremental rotary encoder 202.

At block 304, non-overlapping signals are obtained from the quadraturesignals. The quadrature signals 128 obtained from the quadrature signalgenerator 126, such as the incremental rotary encoder 202, are fed to aquadrature signal decoder 130 to yield non-overlapping signals 132-1 and132-2. In one implementation, the quadrature signal decoder 130 isimplemented using two flip flops, for example, the flip flops 206-1 and206-2.

In response to a clockwise rotation of the quadrature signal encoder126, flip flop 206-1 is activated. As a result, the non-overlappingsignal 132-1 follows the quadrature signal 128-1 until the level ofquadrature signal 128-2 is high. Alternatively, for a counter clockwiserotation of the quadrature signal generator 126, the non-overlappingsignal 132-2 follows the quadrature signal 128-2 as long as the level ofquadrature signal 128-1 is high. In said implementation, thecomplementary non-overlapping signals 134-1 and 134-2 can also begenerated by the flip flops 206. Alternatively, the complementarynon-overlapping signals 134-1 and 134-2 may be generated using atransistor in a common emitter configuration.

At block 306, a key matrix is scanned to decode the non-overlappingsignals. In one implementation, each of the non-overlapping signals132-1 and 132-2 are coupled to a corresponding key on the key matrix110, while each of the complementary non-overlapping signals are coupledto the common segment output, for example, segment output 106-1. Eachkey is coupled to a key input and a common segment output The driver 102scans the segment output 106-1 and key inputs 114-1 and 114-2 in onescanning cycle, and if the driver 102 senses that a current from thesegment output 106-1 is being sinked, while a current is being sourcedto the key input 114-1, the driver 102 registers it as a key pressevent. Furthermore, the driver 102 updates the storage element 116 withan event update corresponding to the registered key press event andsubsequently, generates the interrupt signal 118 for the microcontroller120. Accordingly, the microcontroller 120 may facilitate variousactions, for instance, updating the display unit 104, increasingvolume/channel, and decreasing brightness based on the event update.

Although embodiments for quadrature signal decoding using driver havebeen described in language specific to structural features and/ormethods, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarilylimited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, thespecific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary embodiments forthe quadrature signal decoding using the driver.

I/we claim:
 1. A method comprising: generating quadrature signals onrotation by a quadrature signal generator; converting the quadraturesignals into non-overlapping signals by a quadrature signal decoder;receiving the non-overlapping signals by a key matrix; and decoding thenon-overlapping signals and generating an event update corresponding toa direction of rotation of the quadrature signal generator by a drivercoupled to the key matrix, wherein the quadrature signal generator isselected from a group of an incremental rotary encoder, an opticaltachometer, and a hall effect sensor.
 2. The method as claimed in claim1, wherein the key matrix transfers each of the non-overlapping signalsto the driver through a corresponding key input.
 3. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein a segment output of the driver is coupled tocomplementary signals of the non-overlapping signals.
 4. The method asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising: coupling a transistor at acollector terminal to a segment output of the driver, wherein a baseterminal of the transistor receives one of the non-overlapping signals.5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key matrix receiveseach of the non-overlapping signals through a corresponding transistor.6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: coupling amicrocontroller to the driver, wherein the driver sends an interruptsignal to the microcontroller to indicate generation of the eventupdate.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the microcontrollerfacilitates a pre-determined action based on the interrupt signal. 8.The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising: coupling a displayunit to the driver, wherein the microcontroller facilitates display ofthe direction of rotation of the quadrature signal generator onto thedisplay unit through the driver.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the driver comprises a storage element to store the eventupdate.
 10. A method comprising: generating quadrature signals onrotation by a quadrature signal generator; converting the quadraturesignals into non-overlapping signals by a quadrature signal decoder;receiving the non-overlapping signals by a key matrix; and decoding thenon-overlapping signals and generating an event update corresponding toa direction of rotation of the quadrature signal generator by a drivercoupled to the key matrix, wherein a segment output of the driver iscoupled to complementary signals of the non-overlapping signals.
 11. Themethod as claimed in claim 10, wherein the key matrix transfers each ofthe non-overlapping signals to the driver through a corresponding keyinput.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the quadraturesignal generator is selected from a group of an incremental rotaryencoder, an optical tachometer, and a hall effect sensor.
 13. The methodas claimed in claim 10, further comprising: coupling a transistor at acollector terminal to a segment output of the driver, wherein a baseterminal of the transistor receives one of the non-overlapping signals.14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the key matrix receiveseach of the non-overlapping signals through a corresponding transistor.15. The method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising: coupling amicrocontroller to the driver, wherein the driver sends an interruptsignal to the microcontroller to indicate generation of the eventupdate.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein themicrocontroller facilitates a pre-determined action based on theinterrupt signal.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15 furthercomprising: coupling a display unit to the driver, wherein themicrocontroller facilitates display of the direction of rotation of thequadrature signal generator onto the display unit through the driver.18. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the driver comprises astorage element to store the event update.
 19. A method comprising:generating quadrature signals on rotation by a quadrature signalgenerator; converting the quadrature signals into non-overlappingsignals by a quadrature signal decoder; receiving the non-overlappingsignals by a key matrix; and decoding the non-overlapping signals andgenerating an event update corresponding to a direction of rotation ofthe quadrature signal generator by a driver coupled to the key matrix,wherein the key matrix receives each of the non-overlapping signalsthrough a corresponding transistor.
 20. A method comprising: generatingquadrature signals on rotation by a quadrature signal generator;converting the quadrature signals into non-overlapping signals by aquadrature signal decoder; receiving the non-overlapping signals by akey matrix; and decoding the non-overlapping signals and generating anevent update corresponding to a direction of rotation of the quadraturesignal generator a driver coupled to the key matrix, wherein the drivercomprises a storage element to store the event update.